Thursday 27 September 2012 12.07 EDT
First published on Thursday 27 September 2012 12.07 EDT

Sheffield is a famously good place to be a student, and now statistics have joined innumerable anecdotes in bearing that out.

The National Student Survey, which prompts all universities to spend much time and energy reminding their young proteges to fill in, has rated Sheffield University's student union the best in the UK.

This is quite a compliment for a body whose officials are inevitably transitory and with crucial matters such as working for a degree and organising their loans to think of at the same time. The union's enterprising president Abdi Suleiman, has handed out a thankyou in return. He says:

Our Students' Union has succeeded in creating a community capable of winning changes from the university and beyond, adding to an active student experience and contributing to the local society, which is why 95 per cent of University of Sheffield students genuinely appreciate the Students' Union's contribution to their time at the University.

The uni has a long tradition of keeping green oases in the city centre

The point about bridging the gap between the university, a vast organisation quite capable of being self-sufficient, and the city around it, is a feature of the union's work. Like other northern universities including its excellent neighbour Sheffield Hallam, Sheffield brings young people from all parts of the country – and world – to the city where many a preconception is changed as a result.

The university's vice-chancellor Keith Burnett pitches in too, with one of those neighbourly jabs at regional rivals which keep Yorkshire's academics at the cutting edge. He says:

It's wonderful to know that our students continue to be amongst the most satisfied in the country and that the Students' Union, which is currently undergoing a £20 million refurbishment to further improve facilities, has been rated the best.

This news follows the announcement earlier in the month the University of Sheffield has been named the best institution in Yorkshire and the Humber in the QS World University rankings, and is a testament to our commitment to providing an outstanding student experience, excellent facilities and world-class teaching and support.

Inside the union, which is currently getting a £20 million refurb. Photograph: Christopher Thomond

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